Measure from the sofa
Record seat height and the available space to neighbouring chairs, doors and circulation routes.
The centre of the room
Vintage coffee tables, sized for the seating.
Compare coffee tables by top material, height, reach and the clear route they leave through the room.
Keep it close, never in the way
A coffee table should be easy to reach from the main seats and easy to walk around. Match its height to the seating, then preserve a comfortable route on every used side.
Height
Follow the seat line
A top close to the seat height is easy to use without visually dividing the seating group.
→02Material
Inspect the whole surface
Wood, stone, glass and tile each show wear and repair differently. Inspect the edge as closely as the centre.
→03Movement
Protect the walking route
Tape the outline on the floor and walk around it before choosing a dramatic shape or generous size.
→A coffee-table fit check
Inspect every edge
Stone chips, veneer loss, glass damage and loose tile often appear around edges, corners and fixing points.
Understand the weight
A substantial stone or glass table changes delivery, floor protection and how easily the room can be rearranged.